Speculative Fiction in Korean Webtoons: Sci-fi, Fantasy, and the Supernatural
Instructor: Dr. Emily Marie Anderson Hall
Webtoons, also known as webcomics or manhwa, are a rapidly expanding form of Korean cultural expression, but how do these creators imagine or reimagine the past, present, and future as well as other worlds and dimensions? This course explores how Korean speculative fiction, which includes fantasy, sci-fi, supernatural, horror, and RPG/gaming webtoons, present visions of desirable or undesirable futures and pasts. Students will learn about the origins of these stories in Korean culture and society; manhwa and manga; and global literature. Through this course, we will examine how the characters, imagery, and thematic elements reflect various aspects of Korean culture and society, globalization, technology, and social movements. Finally, this course looks at how speculative fiction is often used as a method of critique to raise questions on gender, class, hierarchy, religion, colonialism, technology, race, human rights, sexual discrimination, social justice, and more. This course and all readings will be in English.